ISRAEL: Into Africa via The Back Door

The daily Johannesburg Star described it as
"an enigmatic embrace." Said one South African expert: "Politics make
strange bedfellows and fear and loneliness even stranger ones."

That combination of politics, fear and loneliness is probably the best
explanation for a blossoming friendship between Israel and South
Africa. Trade between the two has multiplied from $3 million in 1961 to
$120 million currently. Impressive mutual technical assistance programs
are under way. Last year diplomatic relations between Jerusalem and
Pretoria were raised to full ambassadorial level. Last week, in a
striking climax to these...